Week 13: Abolition and Transformative work

After watching the Netflix documentary 13th I found my heart heavy and burdened, but also enraged. How could I have not known this? Why is nothing being done? I have always understood that prisons are meant for money, and are privately owned so maybe the first step is to make them a public service. I know that the prison system needs to be reformed, but it seems almost impossible to do without first abolishing it and starting over. There was an interesting thought from the documentary about community prisons, sort of like parole. That might work if while the people are in this community they get the tools they need to rehabilitate and become better people. Prisons and jails are designed so that once they are released they end up back in there. There is no effort or programs in place to help the individual once they get out, so they have no choice but to break parole or return to a life of crime. Another important issue is that there should be no hiring discrimination for a felony on your record. They have served their debt to society and all they want to do is move on with their lives. Same goes for housing and education. All of this is basic human rights and necessities, but yet they are being denied to these individuals. Once they are free members of society they should also be allowed to vote. If military citizens posted overseas can vote then former convicts should be able to vote as well. As far as youth being imprisoned for life or sent to prison below the age of 18, it is evident that in a few years time they are not the same person that went in. This was made clear after talking to Antonio Howard (Peggy's Son) The man was 15 when he went in and in his forties when he was released. You aren't even the same person you were at 15 when you're 22. I know I'm not. There needs to be a system in place that allows these incarcerated youths the opportunity to be released, and get the help they need for becoming independent, functioning adults. Such as therapy and education while they are in jail. There also needs to be better healthcare in place for those that are in need of medical care while incarcerated. Again this is a basic human right. Bottom line is that we need to refocus and realize that these are still human beings and members of society, and should not have every right taken from them to the point that they are just animals locked up.